JP2015136298A - Hydroponics apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydroponics apparatus capable of adjusting cultivation environment corresponding to each of plants which are cultivated at the same time even if growth states of the plants are different.SOLUTION: A hydroponics apparatus comprises: a raising period measurement part 32 which measures growth periods of plants P1, P2; a plurality of nutritious liquid storage parts 12A, 12B which store nutritious liquid 100A, 100B at least either component or concentration of which is different from each other; a plurality of cultivation tanks 11A, 11B which cultivate the plants; pumps 14A, 14B which supply nutritious liquid from the nutritious liquid storage parts to the cultivation tanks; and a determination/control part 31 which, in the case where a raising period of plants cultivated by the cultivation tanks is determined to have shifted from a first raising period to a second raising period, switches nutritious liquid supplied from nutritious liquid storage parts to cultivation tanks by a nutritious liquid supply part from nutritious liquid stored in any nutritious liquid storage part to nutritious liquid stored in another nutritious liquid storage part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for growing plants.

  The following Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for cultivating a plant using a nutrient solution. This patent document 1 describes a technique relating to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for growing a potato. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus is cultivated by circulating a nutrient solution in a cultivation tank in which a potato is planted.

JP 2008-111752 A

  However, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus mentioned above is provided only with one system of the flow path of the nutrient solution supplied to a potato. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus needs to simultaneously reduce the nutrient solution concentration for all varieties. For this reason, in this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, when it is desired to simultaneously cultivate plants having different growth states, there is a possibility that an optimal cultivation environment cannot be maintained for all the plants.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic cultivation apparatus capable of adjusting the cultivation environment according to each plant even when the growth state of the plants to be cultivated at the same time is different.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that cultivates a plant that grows through a second growing period of the second growing process after the first growing period of the first growing process. A growing period measuring unit for measuring the growing period of the plant, a plurality of nutrient solution storage units for storing nutrient solutions having different components or concentrations, a plurality of cultivation tanks for growing the plant, and the nutrient The growing period of the plant cultivated by the nutrient solution supply part that supplies the nutrient solution from the solution storage part to the cultivation tank and the cultivation tank measured by the growing period measurement unit is from the first growing period to the second growing period. A determination unit that determines whether or not the period has shifted to a period; and when the determination unit determines that the growth period has shifted to the second growth period, the nutrient solution supply unit causes the cultivation from the nutrient solution storage unit. The nutrient solution supplied to the tank is either nutrient solution Characterized in that it comprises a switching unit for switching the nutrient solution stored from the pooled nutrient solution to other nutrient solution reservoir to the comparison.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the nutrient solution storage unit supplies the plant to the plant during the first growing period. A first nutrient solution storage unit that stores the second nutrient solution storage unit that stores a second nutrient solution supplied to the plant in the second growing period, and the switching unit includes the first growing period. In the case where the first nutrient solution is supplied from the first nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank, and the second cultivation solution is transferred to the second cultivation period, the second nutrient solution is supplied from the second nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank. It is characterized by supplying to.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first growing period or the second growing period is set according to the cultivation tank. A setting unit for setting is provided.

  According to this invention, even if it is a case where the growth state of the plant grown simultaneously differs, cultivation environment can be adjusted according to each plant.

It is a system diagram which shows the structure of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus shown as embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus accumulates nutrients synthesized in an above-ground tissue in an underground tissue (root, tuber, etc.) and grows plants P1 and P2 that form tubers in the underground tissue. Moreover, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of this embodiment grows the plants P1 and P2 which grow through the second growing period of the second growing process after the first growing period of the first growing process.

  Thus, potato is mentioned as the plants P1 and P2 which form a tuber and grow through a plurality of growing periods. In this embodiment, an example of growing a potato as a plant will be described. In addition, of course, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of this embodiment is not restricted to a potato as a cultivation object.

  The plurality of growing periods in the plants P1 and P2 are divided into a vegetative growth period (first growing period) and a tuber induction period (second growing period). The vegetative growth period is a growing period in which the foliage of the above-ground tissue is elongated. The tuber induction period is a period in which energy obtained by photosynthesis in the above-ground tissue is transferred to the underground tissue and accumulated in the tuber.

  In the transition from the general vegetative growth period to the tuber induction period, which is not the present embodiment, a technique is adopted in which fertilization is reduced to promote the death of the above-ground tissue and the translocation to the underground tissue. In contrast, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus automatically reduces the concentration of the hydroponic liquid supplied to each of the plants P1 and P2. Thereby, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can promote the transition to the tuber induction period.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus has two cultivation facilities 1A and 1B. The cultivation facility 1A includes a cultivation tank 11A and a nutrient solution storage unit 12A. The cultivation facility 1B includes a cultivation tank 11B and a nutrient solution storage unit 12B.

  The cultivation tanks 11A and 11B support a plurality of plants P1 and P2. The cultivation tanks 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B support the plants P <b> 1 and P <b> 2 so that the leaf stems are the above-ground tissue and the tubers are positioned as the underground tissue. This support member supports the stems of the plants P1 and P2 so as to sandwich the stems, and shields light to the underground tissue.

  Light sources 13A and 13B are arranged above the plants P1 and P2 supported by the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B. For example, LEDs can be used as the light sources 13A and 13B. By the light emitted from the LED, the plants P1 and P2 perform photosynthesis to synthesize nutrients. This nutrient is accumulated in the underground tissue through the stem of the above-ground tissue.

  In the underground tissue of the plants P1 and P2 in the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B, for example, a nutrient body as a seed pod is disposed on a rubber plate, and a nutrient solution is supplied to the nutrient body. In addition, the structure which supplies a nutrient solution to a nutrient body should just be arbitrary. The underground tissue forms tubers by the nutrients supplied from the above-ground tissue. When this tuber grows, it becomes a potato as a harvest.

  The nutrient solution storage units 12A and 12B store the nutrient solutions 100A and 100B having different components or concentrations, respectively. The nutrient solution 100A and the nutrient solution 100B are taken in by the pumps 14A and 14B, respectively. In this embodiment, the nutrient solution is a liquid containing components necessary for the growth of the plants P1 and P2. This component is a nutrient component such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potash or metal.

  The nutrient solution storage unit 12A stores a first nutrient solution 100A suitable for the vegetative growth period of the plants P1 and P2. On the other hand, the nutrient solution storage unit 12B stores the second nutrient solution 100B suitable for the tuber induction period of the plants P1 and P2. In the first nutrient solution 100A, at least one of its concentration and components is suitable for the vegetative growth period. On the other hand, as for the 2nd nutrient solution 100B, at least one of the density | concentration or a component is suitable for a tuber induction period.

  The pumps 14A and 14B are driven according to the control of the determination / control unit 31, take in the nutrient solutions 100A and 100B, and discharge them toward the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B. The nutrient solutions 100A and 100B discharged by the pumps 14A and 14B are supplied to either or both of the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B.

  The nutrient solution supply pipe L1, the supply switching valve 21, and the nutrient solution supply pipes L2 and L4 are connected to the pump 14A. Further, the nutrient solution supply pipe L1, the supply switching valve 22, and the nutrient solution supply pipes L13 and L14 are connected to the pump 14A. The opening / closing operation of the supply switching valve 21 and the supply switching valve 22 is controlled by the determination / control unit 31.

  A nutrient solution supply pipe L11, a supply switching valve 25, and a nutrient solution supply pipe L3 are connected to the pump 14B. The nutrient solution supply pipe L11, the supply switching valve 26, and the nutrient solution supply pipes L12 and L14 are connected to the pump 14B. The opening / closing operation of the supply switching valve 25 and the supply switching valve 26 is controlled by the determination / control unit 31.

  To the cultivation tank 11A, a nutrient solution discharge pipe L5, a discharge switching valve 23, and a nutrient solution discharge pipe L6 for discharging the first nutrient solution 100A in the cultivation tank 11A are connected. A discharge switching valve 27 and a nutrient solution discharge pipe L17 are connected to the nutrient solution discharge pipe L5. The opening / closing operation of the discharge switching valve 23 and the discharge switching valve 27 is controlled by the determination / control unit 31.

  To the cultivation tank 11B, a nutrient solution discharge pipe L15, a discharge switching valve 24, and a nutrient solution discharge pipe L7 for discharging the second nutrient solution 100B in the cultivation tank 11B are connected. A discharge switching valve 28 and a nutrient solution discharge pipe L16 are connected to the nutrient solution discharge pipe L15. The opening / closing operation of the discharge switching valve 24 and the discharge switching valve 28 is controlled by the determination / control unit 31.

  These pumps and piping function as a nutrient solution supply unit that supplies the nutrient solutions 100A and 100B from the nutrient solution storage units 12A and 12B to the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B. Further, the switching valve described above functions as a switching unit together with the control of the switching valve by the determination / control unit 31.

  Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a growing period measuring unit 32 that measures growing periods of the plants P1 and P2. In the growing period measuring unit 32, the start / end of the growing period is controlled by the determination / control unit 31. Specifically, the growing period measuring unit 32 measures the first growing period and the second growing period of the plants P1 and P2.

  The first growing period (long vegetative growth period) and the second growing period (tuber tube induction period) are set by the setting unit 33 for each of the plants P1 and P2. The setting unit 33 can be realized by a personal computer operated by a user, for example. Note that the setting unit 33 may set one of the first growing period and the second growing period.

  Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a determination / control unit 31 that performs various determinations and controls. The determination / control unit 31 includes, for example, a control panel on which a microcomputer that controls each unit constituting the cultivation facilities 1A and 1B is mounted.

  The determination / control unit 31 controls the pumps 14A and 14B and the switching valves 21 to 27 described above. Thereby, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can supply or stop the first nutrient solution 100A to the cultivation tank 11A or the cultivation tank 11B. Moreover, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can supply or stop the second nutrient solution 100B to the cultivation tank 11A or the cultivation tank 11B. Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can discharge the first nutrient solution 100A discharged from the cultivation tank 11A or the cultivation tank 11B to the nutrient solution storage unit 12A. Moreover, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can discharge | emit the 2nd nutrient solution 100B discharged | emitted from the cultivation tank 11A or the cultivation tank 11B to the nutrient solution storage part 12B.

  Further, the determination / control unit 31 is supplied with the time measured by the growing period measurement unit 32. The determination / control unit 31 determines whether or not the growing period of the plants P1 and P2 cultivated by the cultivation facilities 1A and 1B has shifted from the first growing period to the second growing period (determining unit). That is, the determination / control unit 31 determines whether or not the growing period of the plants P1 and P2 has shifted from the vegetative long term to the tuber induction period.

  When it is determined that the growing period of the plants P1 and P2 has shifted to the second growing period, the determination / control unit 31 supplies the nutrient solution supplied to the plants P1 and P2 in the first growing period to other nutrients. Switch to liquid. Specifically, the determination / control unit 31 supplies the nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank from the nutrient solution stored in one of the nutrient solution storage units to the other nutrient solution storage unit. (Switching unit).

  Below, the specific operation | movement in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprised in this way is demonstrated.

  In this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, an early-growing plant P1 is planted in the cultivation tank 11A, and a late-growing plant P2 is planted in the cultivation tank 11B. The plants P1 and P2 are potato seedlings in the present embodiment.

  Further, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus sets the vegetative growth period and tuber induction period for the early-growing plant P1 by the determination / control unit 31. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus sets the vegetative growth period and tuber induction period for the late cultivar plant P2 by the determination / control unit 31. At this time, in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the setting unit 33 sets the vegetative long-term tuber induction period for the early-growing plant P1 and the vegetative long-term tuber induction period for the late-growing plant P2. This set value is stored in the determination / control unit 31.

  This hydroponic cultivation apparatus fills the nutrient solution storage unit 12A with the first nutrient solution 100A as a high-concentration hydroponic solution. On the other hand, the hydroponics apparatus is filling the nutrient solution storage part 12B with the 2nd nutrient solution 100B as a low concentration hydroponics solution. The high-concentration hydroponic solution is adjusted to a component or concentration suitable for the vegetative growth period of the plants P1 and P2. On the other hand, the low concentration hydroponic solution is adjusted to a component or concentration suitable for the tuber induction period of the plants P1 and P2.

  In growing the plants P1 and P2, first, the determination / control unit 31 opens the supply switching valves 21, 22, 23, and 24. In addition, the determination / control unit 31 closes the supply switching valves 25, 26, 27, and 28. Further, the determination / control unit 31 drives the pump 14A. Thereby, hydroponic cultivation apparatus supplies 1st nutrient solution 100A as high concentration hydroponic solution to each cultivation tank 11A, 11B.

  The growing period measuring unit 32 continues to measure the growing period during the growing period. This measurement period is read by the determination / control unit 31. As the cultivation progresses, the early-growing plant P1 progresses faster in vegetative growth than the late-growing plant P2. Thus, the early-growing plant P1 reaches the tuber induction period before the late-growing plant P2.

  It is determined by the determination / control unit 31 based on the measurement time of the growing period measurement unit 32 that the early-growing plant P1 has shifted to the tuber induction period. When the determination / control unit 31 determines that the plant P1 has shifted to the tuber induction period, the determination / control unit 31 closes the supply switching valves 21 and 23. The determination / control unit 31 opens the supply switching valves 25 and 27. Further, the determination / control unit 31 drives the pump 14B.

  Thereby, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus supplies the 2nd nutrient solution 100B as a low concentration hydroponic solution from the nutrient solution storage part 12B to the cultivation tank 11A. Plant P1 is grown by this low concentration hydroponic solution. On the other hand, since the late cultivar plant P2 has a vegetative growth period, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus continues to supply the first nutrient solution 100A as a high-concentration hydroponic solution to the plant P2.

  After that, the determination / control unit 31 determines that the late variety P2 has shifted to the tuber induction period. Then, the determination / control unit 31 closes the supply switching valves 22 and 24. In addition, the determination / control unit 31 opens the supply switching valves 26 and 28. Thereby, the 2nd nutrient solution 100B as a low concentration hydroponics solution is supplied to the cultivation tank 11B from the nutrient solution storage part 12B.

  As described above, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus cultivates a plant that grows through the second growing period (tuber tube induction period) of the second growing process after the first growing period (nutrient growing period) of the first growing process. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a growing period measuring unit (32) that measures the growing period of the plant P. Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a plurality of nutrient solution storage units (12A, 12B) for storing nutrient solutions having different components or concentrations. Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a plurality of cultivation tanks (11A, 11B) for growing plants. Furthermore, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus is provided with the nutrient solution supply part (L1-L17) which supplies a nutrient solution to a cultivation tank from a nutrient solution storage part. Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus has a determination unit (31) that determines whether or not the growing period of the plant cultivated by the cultivation tank measured by the growing period measuring unit has shifted from the first growing period to the second growing period. Prepare. Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, when the determination unit determines that the growth period has shifted to the second growth period, the nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank by the nutrient solution supply unit The switching part (21-27) which switches from the nutrient solution stored in the liquid storage part to the nutrient solution stored in the other nutrient solution storage part is provided.

  According to such a hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the vegetative long term and tuber induction period are set by the setting unit 33 for each of a plurality of varieties. The hydroponics device automatically switches the path for supplying the nutrient solution when the vegetative growth period corresponding to each variety ends and shifts to the tuber induction period, and automatically adjusts the nutrient solution component or concentration. Can be changed.

  Therefore, according to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus, even if it is a case where the growth state (growth speed) of the plants P1 and P2 grown simultaneously differs, cultivation environment can be adjusted according to each plant. Therefore, according to this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, plants of different varieties can be cultivated simultaneously in the same apparatus in an environment preferable for each growth stage in the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B.

  For example, over 200 varieties of potatoes have been developed in Japan alone, and the growth rate (maturity) differs for each variety. On the other hand, according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus mentioned above, a some nutrient solution is prepared and a nutrient solution can be switched when the vegetative long term according to each kind is complete | finished. Thereby, a desirable cultivation environment can be maintained for a plurality of varieties.

  Moreover, according to this hydroponics apparatus, it is not necessary to introduce a single apparatus for every kind, and cost, management, and maintenance can be omitted.

  Moreover, this hydroponics apparatus stores the 1st nutrient solution supplied to a plant in the 1st breeding period in the nutrient solution storage part 12A, and supplies the plant to the nutrient solution storage part 12B in the second breeding period. 2 Store the nutrient solution. And a hydroponics apparatus supplies the 1st nutrient solution 100A to the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B from a 1st nutrient solution storage part by a switching part in a 1st cultivation period. When shifting to the second growing period, the hydroponics apparatus supplies the second nutrient solution 100B from the second nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tanks 11A and 11B.

  Thus, according to this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the first nutrient solution 100A is supplied to the plants P1 and P2 during the first growth period, and the second nutrient solution 100B is supplied to the plants P1 and P2 during the second growth period. It is possible to automatically switch from the first nutrient solution 100A to the second nutrient solution 100B.

  In addition, when electric conductivity is used as an index for the nutrient solution concentration filled in the nutrient solution storage units 12A and 12B, the high-concentration hydroponic solution is desirably 1.0 [ds / m] or more. Further, the high-concentration hydroponic solution preferably has an electric conductivity of 1.0 to 2.0 [ds / m]. The electrical conductivity is more preferably 1.5 to 1.8 [ds / m]. On the other hand, it is desirable that the low-concentration hydroponic solution has an electrical conductivity of less than 1.0 [ds / m]. More preferably, the electric conductivity is 0.4 to 0.9 [ds / m]. More preferably, it is desirable to set it as 0.6-0.8 [ds / m].

  Moreover, although the nutrient solution 100A, 100B with which the nutrient solution storage parts 12A, 12B are filled is classified according to the fertilizer concentration, it may be classified according to the composition suitable for the vegetative long term and the composition suitable for the tuber induction period. Good. In this case, as an example of a formulation suitable for the vegetative growth period, a plant hormone (cytokinin or the like) that promotes the growth of the above-ground part is added, and as an example of a formulation suitable for the tuber induction period, a plant hormone ( Examples of the method include addition of jasmonic acid and auxin), but are not limited thereto.

  Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a setting unit 33 that sets the first growing period or the second growing period according to the cultivation tank. Thereby, according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the vegetative long term and the tuber induction period can be set for each variety, and the transition from the vegetative long term to the tuber induction period is automatically performed at the optimal timing for each variety. be able to.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made depending on the design and the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from this embodiment. Of course, it is possible to change.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus described above, the varieties of the plants P1 and P2 are not limited to combinations of early varieties and late varieties (mature periods), but may be any combination. For example, it may be a combination of early varieties and mid-late varieties.

L1, L2, L3, L4, L11, L12, L13, L14 Nutrient solution supply piping L5, L6, L15, L16, L17 Nutrient solution discharge piping 11A, 11B Cultivation tank 12A, 12B Nutrient solution storage unit 14A, 14B Pump 21, 22, 25, 26 Supply switching valve 23, 24, 27, 28 Discharge switching valve 31 Judgment / control unit 32 Growing period measurement unit 33 Setting unit 100A First nutrient solution 100B Second nutrient solution

Claims (3)

A hydroponic cultivation apparatus for cultivating a plant that grows after the first growing period of the first growing process through the second growing period of the second growing process,
A growing period measuring unit for measuring the growing period of the plant;
A plurality of nutrient solution storage units for storing nutrient solutions having different components or concentrations, respectively;
A plurality of cultivation tanks for cultivating the plant;
A nutrient solution supply unit that supplies the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the growing period of the plant cultivated by the cultivation tank measured by the growing period measuring unit has shifted from the first growing period to the second growing period;
When the determination unit determines that the growing period has shifted to the second growing period, the nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank by the nutrient solution supply unit is stored as any nutrient solution. A hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches from a nutrient solution stored in a part to a nutrient solution stored in another nutrient solution storage unit. The said nutrient solution storage part stores the 1st nutrient solution storage part which stores the 1st nutrient solution supplied to the said plant in the said 1st breeding period, and the 2nd nutrient solution supplied to the said plant in the said 2nd breeding period A second nutrient solution storage unit
The switching unit supplies the first nutrient solution from the first nutrient solution storage unit to the cultivation tank during the first cultivation period, and when the transition to the second cultivation period is performed, the second nutrient solution storage. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second nutrient solution is supplied to the cultivation tank from the section.   The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that sets the first growing period or the second growing period according to the cultivation tank.

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